Review: REPTILIAN ILLUMINATI – ‘Dark/Light’ [Album Stream + Video]

 

 Reptilian Illuminati formed in 2016 in the land down under Australia. The band is influenced by a wide variety of artists like Pallbearer, Ahab, This Will Destroy You and Pink Floyd. The band is comprised of Matthew Brennan – Guitar, Terry Pietrosanto – Guitar, Dean Astrella – Guitar, Dexter Karpe – Bass, and Matty Innes – Drums. Reptilian Illuminati is an instrumental band that brings a wide range of elements into their music including historical samples which attributes to the concept of the album. ‘Dark/Light’ is their debut album and is also a concept album based on UFO phenomena. Using speeches and audio clips as historical clues and some spacey riffs and beats at times the album is truly cohesive. ‘Dark/Light’ was recorded at Brown Lounge Studios Engineered by drummer Matty Innes Mixed by Matty Innes and Michael Marinucci Mastered by Chris Themelco at Monolith Studios. The album released on September 1st, 2017 and is available on Bandcamp here and you can stream below.The band has also released a music video for the track “Valentich” which was filmed and edited by Lewi Haskins at Sonder Media. It’s an amazing video that has beautiful naturalistic imagery and then turns to the sky and shows it with a kaleidoscope effect that is simply amazing.

Continue reading

Sal Costa Of SMASHING SATELLITES Announces Retirement!

SMASHING SATELLITES guitarist Sal Costa who was earlier a part of fellow Canadian rockers MY DARKEST DAYS has just now announced that he will be retiring from the music industry and shall devote time to his personal life and family.

Costa penned down the note below and recollected many of his cherished memories while on road, and being a top notch, world famous musician. He also stated his reasons for retiring. Over the past year he said he “took off from music I spent time living “normal” life.” One of the main reasons he can be seen stating is as follows, “I have no regrets, just perspective. I have learned that 100000 more Platinum plaques won’t replace 30 minutes playing tag with my daughter, 100000 Juno Awards won’t replace a date night with my wife and 100000 #1 songs won’t replace a BBQ (a vegan one of course ) with a few good friends. That is the truth.” He also says that his year off music has made him aware “where true happiness lies” and that it’s somewhere far from life on road. He voiced his concern over the irksome nature of the industry where the industry “doesn’t care if you live or die” and that “It’s all fake. None of it is real.

Continue reading

Drum Icon VINNY APPICE Unveils One Of His Biggest “SPINAL TAP” Moments [Audio Interview]

Drum icon VINNY APPICE (BLACK SABBATH, DIO, LAST IN LINE) is gearing up for a special milestone in his career.  October 27th  he will unleash a new album titled “APPICE – SINISTER” from SPV Records.   “SINISTER” will mark Vinny’s first ever album collaboration with his brother, another drum legend CARMINE APPICE (VANILLA FUDGE, ROD STEWART, OZZY OSBOURNE)  Together the brothers have written and recorded 13 new songs with some of their greatest friends and musicians on the planet.  Vinny spoke to METAL NEXUS about the upcoming album.   In the conversation we discussed what it meant for the brothers to finally record an album together,  the recording process and how its changed during Vinny’s career, and one of his biggest “SPINAL TAP” moments that occurred while touring with BLACK SABBATH for the “HEAVEN & HELL TOUR”.   Continue reading

Review: IRON MONKEY – ‘9-13’ [Lyric Video]

 

Iron Monkey have returned. Yes, you read that right, Iron Monkey have returned! The reason for the comeback? Unknown. But after listening to 9-13 (Available October 20th on CD, LP, and digital formats via Relapse Records. Physical packages and digital orders are available via Relapse.com HERE and all retail outlets HERE.) I can assure you that this is (mostly) a solid return to form!

Iron Monkey formed in Nottingham, England in 1994. The original members were Justin Greaves (drums), Johnny Morrow (vocals), Jim Rushby (guitar), Steve Watson (guitar) and Doug Dalziel (bass). The group’s sound was influenced by doom metal and sludge metal acts such as EyeHateGod, and Grief. In 1998 Iron Monkey released the highly acclaimed “Our Problem” via Earache Records. Unfortunately, due to issues with the music business as well as personal problems the band split in 1999. To add to that drama, On June 22, 2002 frontman Johnny Morrow passed away due to heart failure, effectively putting Iron Monkey on ice for over a decade. Continue reading

Terry Corso Of ALIEN ANT FARM On MTV Reviving TRL “Bring A Little Bit Of Music Back Into An Organization That Has Music In The Title”

Photo Credit: Jessica Stacy / Metal Nexus

If you lived through any portion of the early 2000’s it’s likely you’ve heard and sang along to Alien Ant Farm’s cover of the classic Micheal Jackson hit “Smooth Criminal” or their original track “Movies” both from the album ‘ANThology‘ which sold over 1 million copies. The band has released 3 albums since their major hit record including ‘Truant’ in 2003, ‘Up In The Attic’ in 2006, and their most recent ‘Always And Forever’ in 2015. Lately the band has been touring with P.O.D., Powerflo and Fire From The Gods, bringing a bit of nostalgia to the touring lineup. Continue reading

Review: GWAR – ‘The Blood Of Gods’ [Full Album Stream]

Raising complete chaos from the year 1988 is the one and only Gwar, known from the beginning of time for their vulgar and shocking style with an hilarious topping. Eventhough they have been around for a long time I never got bored of them. They always managed to bring an unique style consisting of scum dog riffs alongside of lyrics that some consider utter bullshit. But, after waiting for about 4 years they finally came back with the release, via Metal Blade, of ‘The Blood Of Gods’. Prepare yourselves for this awesome mess!

Continue reading

Netherlands Power/Death Metal Hybrid SPARTAN Unveils New Beer And Supporting Release Show

If there was ever a perfect blend of Power Metal and Death Metal that perfection would be none other than Haarlem Netherland powerhouse SPARTAN. Marching in the standard Phalanx formation of their namesake, these brutal warriors are set to take the world by storm and gain the favor of metalheads worldwide with calculated ferocity. With their original formation being in 2007 SPARTAN now consists of Jeffrey Rademakers on vocals, Pieter Vink and Nick van Beusekom on guitar, Mike van Bekkum on bass and Frank Bos on drums. Although they are from the Netherlands, the members of SPARTAN have a deep love of Greek Mythology and lore. How could they not? The Greeks have won the hearts and minds of people the world over with their rich history, and awe inspiring tales of Gods, Goddesses, and brutal titans which the band has more than effectively translated to the here and now with an epic fusion of Power and Death Metal.  SPARTAN released their first E.P. in 2009 titled “For Glory” and the success of that album sent them marching through Holland, and later conquering a good portion of Europe between 2009-2013, where they shared the stage with metal icons such as Marduk, Moonspell, Septicflesh, Negura Bunget, and Rotting Christ. In 2014, they signed an endorsement deal with Dutch guitar makers ‘Serpent King Guitars’ and in 2015 they released their epic album “The Fall Of Olympus” with Into The Limelight Records Continue reading

Blackened Hardcore Band CALLIGRAM Announce Debut LP, Stream New Video

 

Highly regarded blackened hardcore band Calligram have announced their debut LP and signing to Basick Records. “Askesis” – set to be released on November 24 – is a viciously dark and atmospheric ride through bleakened lands of sonic destruction, a sound that has already seen the band championed by Metal Hammer, Terrorizer, and more.

To celebrate the news, the band streamed new video ‘Scourge’ which you can watch below:

Continue reading

TRIVIUM’S Matt Heafy On Streaming “It Does Pay, Ask Your Record Labels, If Its Not In Your Contract You Need To Rework Your Contract.”

Trivium!

 

Trivum quickly became a household name when they formed in 1999. For their sophomore release Ascendancy they were signed to Road Runner Records who helped push and promote the band even further. I was fortunate enough to see the band in the early years of them coming up in the metal scene when they were out on tour with Danzig. They have often been compared to Metallica, because of their thrash inspired sound and their cover of the classic track “Master Of Puppets” on their Road Runner debut helped as well. Trivium are seen as one of the best modern bands out there and will likely leave a lasting impression on the world of metal for years to come. Their previous release ‘Silence In The Snow’ charted as high as #3 on Billboard in both Rock and Hard Rock album categories. With a pretty quick turnaround and a tremendous amount of touring the band recently released their 8th studio album ‘The Sin and the Sentence’ on October 20th, 2017. Continue reading